Atacama
| |
| Flag of Atacama | |
| Motto: "Ten green bottles on wall - Someone's taken your beers" | |
| as of 18/01/05 | |
| Region | A Slice of Surreality |
|---|---|
| Capital | Hikasui |
| Official Language(s) | English |
| Leader | IdioC |
| Population | >750 million |
| Currency | Baby |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
Atacama
Atacama is a small island discovered after explorers from Kurui with guidance from Japanese WW2 maps discovered it lying just over the apparent horizon. The indiginous peoples, whilst communicating in their own language for many centuries, have only just become partially understandable to outsiders - their discovery to the rest of the world in 1981 has only left them 23 years to grasp new languages to communicate. As such, Atacama has no intention of joining the UN yet due to lack of comprehension (more than half wouldn't know the two letters of the roman alphabet to write it, for starters), and its history remains a secret told in native dialect only.
The History we DO actually know
When Atacama was discovered in 1981, it was by Kuruinin ("Kurui People" literally), experimenting with new technologies learnt from the Japanese. Some of the existing Kuruinin natives found similiarities in the indiginous languages of the two nations and small trades were begun. Within the same year, the main volcano on Atacama (Mt Fuegomente) erupted, and so many of the locals were taken to Kurui until it was safe to return. Some were not so lucky due the lack of communications on the island - some of the forests on the island were burnt to the ground by hot lava, as were all the villages, and villagers in their path. On their return, the main city was divided in two by a stream of lava. While life on Atacama became harder, the Kuruinin technique of mudbaking fish helped feed the homeless Atacamans, and the heat from the warm magma provided enough heat to cook the fish. The Kuruinin now engage in trades with the Atacamans for their earths because they believe they make a better bake. This is the main external trade for Atacama. A steady process of rebuilding has begun since, the main settlement, Hikasui ("Fire stream" - named by the Kuruinin as, as mentioned earlier, the indigenous language is hard to comprehend), being chosen as home to a new government to replace an existing council of elders.
Modern Government and History
The habit of co-operation between their peoples from the tribal eras continues in Atacama's modern constitution. Their entrusting of a central leader/representative with matters of state allowing for matters to voted on make Atacama a Democratic Socialist nation. The absence of a religion on the island but belief in respecting others have created a somewhat liberal attitude to life. The rebuilding of Atacama from the volcanic eruption of Fuegomente has rebuilt three main settlements with very few villages for fear of getting burnt again. These are Hikasui (the capital), Yakeno ("burnt fields") and Zenshou ("burnt to the ground" - someone had an appalling sense of humour). These settlements have automonous control of their own issues and affairs so that if one fails or benefits from an idea, the others can evade or adopt it accordingly. Atacama was offered a protectorate pact with Kurui in 2004 to help the young nation exist with international support. Kurui had acquired some Japanese and some English in its 62 years as a recognised state, and the Common Realms Alliance Pacific was formed.
The 10th of January Automotive Initiative
In a move towards international participation, the Atacaman Trade and Industry Executive confirmed an agreement with Kurui to set up ACAR (The Atacaman Collective Automotive Representative), a state-run company to produce automobiles for global sale. It is hoped that the quality of the vehicles will help Atacama obtain a more independant stature on the world stage and be slowly weaned off reliance on Kurui. The move, whilst unprecedented, saw Atacama's formerly lagging GDP multiply 6-fold, saw it take the highest regional trade surplus in the Common Realms Alliance Pacific, and hopefully start a way for the nation to embrace business.
Following rumours of new maps being drafted, the first maps were published on the 18th of January with some interesting new discoveries.
Revelations on Paper
The map drafted on the 18th of January revealed the location of two other nations and four independent townships, some of which had been loosely accounted of by 1981 scouts seeking allies in the constitution. Atacaman-funded Kuruinin studies on these maps have shown that the townships told of to the Kurinin at first were only constitutional towns of the Atacaman main tribe. It has become apparent that two splinter nations formed on active rejection of the 1981 constitution on the same island, and whilst some of the independent townships were active rejectors of it also, two new ones were discovered in the map drafting.
The Hamashima People 浜島人
The Hamashima (Beach Island) occupy the western territories of the island and rejected the constitution on the grounds of wanting to maintain their independence. They follow practices of non-centralised democracies in their settlements, reliant on councils of elders for guidance. Their lands are prime hunting plains and open fields - as such they are fully sufficient for food, and have developed strong archery techniques. This enabled them to slow down the ACAR Nalinger-E surveying the area with several well-placed tyre shots. They curiously seemed unaffected by the presence of the car until one pointed out a Kuruinin flag bumper sticker from one of the researchers. Their dislike of Kurui is a connection yet to be qualified, although it is being looked into.
The Mizukata People 水潟人
The Mizukata (Water Lagoon) occupy some of the south-eastern lands and are prime fishermen, which is why their capital Seneiutsumi 線鋭内海(Clear Bay) is very highly regarded. The Mizukata disapproved of the constitution because their governmental system is very feudal, and the concern at losing this system of honour didn't counterbalance unity as a greater nation. They didn't apprehend the vehicles at all, although several horsemen decided to follow them to certain points. Some from Okatoshi 岡都市(Hill Town) saw Yakeno in the distance and rode back. Repeated sightings of scouting units investigating the area have made locals worried and suspecting an impending attack.
Independent Townships
The following townships had their own reasons of abstaining from the constitution.
Seneisuna 線鋭砂
Seneisuna (Clear Sand) refused to join because of its half loyalty to Hamashima and half loyalty to constitutional Atacama. Its culture is unique because of repeated hand changing and is now trying to make its own way in the world without dominance from either side.
Yamimori 闇森
Yamimori (Dark Wood) is a very secretive settlement. It wasn't actually known of in 1981 and no scout reached it. Very little is known about Yamimori, its people or traditions, or whether it trusts any other clan.
Mizuikkaku 水一角
Mizuikkaku (Water Point) proposed joining if the constitution attacked the Mizukata (in particular, Seneiutsumi) to join the territories, and to settle an old score the Mizuikkaku had. This settlement would probably have been rejected, but the scout arrived in Hikasui mortally wounded after getting caught in Mizuikkaku-Mizukata crossfire. The cause of the distrust is believed to be Mizukatan attempts at conquest.
Gakeanei 崖暗翳
Gakeanei (Cliff Shadow) is a fiercely independent township and refused to co-operate point-blank. It is believed that, once again, possible Mizukata conquest attempts have made them cacoon themselves in such a manner.
It is hoped that the constitution can co-operate peacefully with these peoples, but Kurui is considering increasing its defence budget in case Atacama, or even itself, needs defending in accordance with the treaties of CRAP.
Consequences of the 10th JAI
The Constituational Alliance of Atacama is pleased to announce the success of the 10th JAI. ACAR has helped the economy reach "thriving" ratings in recent surveys, surging to the top of the Common Realms Alliance Pacific's economic statistics, only bettered at times by the Free Land of Mopedonia. We hope to expand ACAR with government help, and will attempt to privatise it later if the right conditions arise. We regret to hear of Kurui's recent economic failure, and wish it all the best, whilst sadly are in little position to provide assistance as the economy is still pretty much centralised until we can stabilise the recent success. With regards to the recent sightings of Mizukata scouts around Yakeno - these interfering heathens have been controlled and driven away by patrols reinforced ACAR Tandorses. Whilst we have adopted a peaceful means of defence, we sadly have lost 3 locals to random spear attacks and one ACAR Tandorse was lost due to a handling error of it's driver. The vehicle may have been recovered by the Mizukata. If they persist in harassing our folk or use the Tandorse to make assault craft, we will be left with no choice but to declare war to defend our borders and peoples.
On the 20th July, following the collapse of several of it's member states, The Common Realms Alliance Pacific was disbanded following economic failure and political instability.
